I transplanted more than ten young zinnias plants from my daughter’s backyard garden earlier this summer. They are all from seeding, too crowded and don’t thin out, so the flowers are smaller than usual, but they are still very pretty and cute!
When I’m feeling better, I feel like arranging ikebana, but sometimes all I have to grab is my houseplants. This is the case with my zinnias.
It’s September, all the schools have been starting after Labor Day holiday weekend (9/7/2026). My two older grandchildren have left for college already. My youngest grandson gets his nursery orientation and my Ikebana class lessons start this month 9/14/2026. It seems like everyone is getting back to their normal activity schedules.
Materials: Sunflower, Carnation, dahlia, dogwood branches and twigs / ceramic Tsubo vase
I hardly use these two unique shaped, black small containers. To make the most of the same materials that I had before and more marigolds (blooming more in my garden now). Their bright colors pop up the whole arrangement!
The title emphasizes why I would like to use the container. After I finished my designed arrangement, I added the line to echo the glass container. Do you think it better with it or not?
August has just passed, I can already feel a hint of autumn in the air! Occasionally I get the autumn blues, it makes me sad these days when I get frustrated with my husband’s confused brain. I feel for his dementia situation, I really don’t know I should sympathize with him or myself?
I have always been fascinated by smoke trees and I’ve always been interested in making an arrangement with it. Also their branches are very pretty too! The anthuriums from workshop last time still look fresh, why not just use them.
 |
| This is a big tall glass vase |
Because of the Hydrangea my daughter-in law gave to me. I made a spontaneous flower arrangement using my garden flowers and even my house plant, there were balloon flower, rose of Sharon, grass, palm. I like to use baskets for Summer time arrangement.
I had the old orange colored branches, and I bought blue spray paint to contrast. Combined together I chose a gray container and this provided anthurium.
After the workshop, I rearranged the branches at home. I think the remade one feels more like what I wanted. (8/18/2026)
DPW (Dutchess, Putman, Westchester county) and Wasetsu study groups held a summer workshop on making an arrangement using Trifoliate orange branches, taught by our sensei Judy Hata, on August 15 at the home of Roxane (our class leader). We brought our own green (or hosta if you have) and dried/dead branches, Trifoliate orange branches and flowers provided. Also bring a dish for potluck lunch to share after the workshop.
We had about 18 people attend, in the outdoor of Roxane’s beautiful front yard under shady trees. It was a gorgeous Saturday morning, breezy and not humid! I only posted some of them. See below:
I recently found a letter from my husband writing to me about him coming back to Taiwan to take ECFMG Examinations and vacation from military leave (軍醫官) in Penghu (the outside island of mainland Taiwan). The very first time, we finally saw each other after our engagement; it was already two months passed. I wept tears of joy when we met! His words are so sweet and full of love. He wrote “whenever he sees me or is at my side, it makes him find the world so peaceful and beautiful!”
I was truly touched by reading his letter and remember how much he deeply loved and cared for me. These letters keep me going and give me strength to take care of him.
 |
| Colors in Contrast, zinnias were from my daughter in law’s garden |
Six months ago, my husband and I went to see the Swam Lake Ballet, we had a good time together. Once again, on 8/9/2026, we attended the classic music concert at the Bard college for their Summer Music Festival. The program was “Mozart and His World”. Thanks for my granddaughter Jordan, I received two free tickets from her. She worked part time at Bard college as her summer job. She will be back to school soon for her senior year of USC (University of Southern California). She’s my first grandchild, a beautiful and working hard young lady. we are so proud of her!
This afternoon’s program was about reimagining two musical contests between Mozart and his Italian contemporaries. Today’s Mozart music was totally unfamiliar to me! But the seats were great, the music was pleasant, two sopranos and baritone were remarkable! Overall, we enjoyed the performance. It brought back memories of our old dates. I temporarily took my mind off my worries for a moment. Life is good for now! (8/9/2026)
